ESCROWS: Electrolytic-Free Single-Stage Converter for Reliable Offshore Wind Systems

Reliability is a critical attribute of power networks due to their importance to modern civilisation. The increasing use of renewable generation in our power system means that power electronic converters, which are needed to connect them to the power grid, are becoming widespread. Unlike traditional power systems devices, power converters are more prone to failures. However, they offer much more precise control and performance than conventional power system devices and are an indispensable part of modern power systems. Hence, the reliability of power converters is of paramount importance.

Offshore wind systems have been acknowledged as one of the leading solutions to decarbonise energy systems in the UK, with deployment anticipated to reach 84 gigawatts installed capacity by 2050. Due to their wind profile reliability, offshore wind farms offer longer-term solutions than onshore ones. The availability of many suitable sites, the excellent wind resources and the existing capabilities of the offshore petroleum industry make the UK ideally placed to be a world-leading player in floating wind systems. Typically, floating offshore wind farms with power ranging from five to fifty megawatts are expected to be connected to medium voltage power networks, therefore, requiring step-up transformers. Although such transformers have proven robustness, they are expensive and bulky.

The project aims to develop a novel power electronics converter to connect floating offshore wind turbines to power networks, ensuring resilience, high efficiency, superior reliability and the least impact on the environment. This will be achieved by undertaking advanced modelling and computer simulation to identify the optimal converter design, followed by the development of intelligent control software to maximise the efficiency and fault-tolerant operation of the converter. The performance of the final design will be validated through prototype hardware implementation and testing in consultation with the industrial partner.

The impact of this project has a notable thumbprint on renewable energy systems, energy-saving, and electric vehicles. The sought outcomes influence fields and applications such as power supplies, lighting and heating control, HVDC systems, photovoltaic systems, energy storage, and transportation. Likewise, this work has a direct impact on numerous service domains and thus, in academia, industry, and society.

Academic Impact: This project would provide an opportunity to improve the power electronics programme at Queen's University Belfast (QUB). Consequently, the career aim is to develop the power electronics research laboratory into a world-class research centre, advancing state-of-the-art power electronics systems. The funding will provide a platform to build links and establish networks with researchers working in a similar field. Research results published in relevant top journals and conferences will help in forming global networks and generating new research collaborations. The project will also provide excellent training opportunities for the appointed researcher by carrying out intensive research. The project involves design, simulation and hardware implementation, which will undoubtedly improve the employability of the research students and fellows in academia as well as in industry. Other labs that work on energy conversion can also benefit from our advanced design. Furthermore, researchers who study power electronics will be able to utilise the outcomes of the project.

Industrial and Economic Impact: The output of this project can provide superior performance and reliability that is essential for delivering power conversion technology in the industrial environment. The direct impact of reliable power converters will be on energy-saving and maintenance for the offshore wind power plant sector. Such converters can also be developed for electric vehicles. Reducing power electronics size with high reliability will assist in the long-term goal of delivering a reduced carbon society hence improving health and well-being, and that, in turn, will lead to wealth creation as well as economic prosperity.
The exploitation of intellectual property (IP) resulting from this project will be handled by the Research and Enterprise Directorate Commercialisation team at QUB who have a strong reputation in commercialising the technology. They will provide appropriate advice and guidance with regards to IP protection. During the past three decades of commercialisation, QUB formed more than 60 companies, making £140m turnover and creating 1200 jobs. QUB secured more than £22m from IP revenues in 2018, ranking third for IP commercialisation in the UK. The exchange of knowledge with the industrial partner is well planned for the whole duration of the project and will pave the way for exploring commercialisation opportunities in (a) power converter integration, (b) an advanced interactive control system, and (c) reliability for distributed energy interfaces.

Societal Impact: The outcome of this project will have a direct impact on the end-user who seeks to receive consistent and secure electricity at a reasonable price with a minimum impact on health and the environment. It further facilitates the adoption of new technologies in many layers of UK society due to the minimum maintenance needed. Thus, extending the lifetime of offshore wind systems will assist in reducing the cost of energy and ultimately reduce electricity bills for UK consumers. Adopting dispersed energy resources such as offshore floating wind turbines, which are located far from people, also reduces noise pollution and improves health and well-being. This project will also play a vital role in minimising fossil-fuel production to meet the UK's CO2 reduction target (reducing carbon emissions by 57% by 2030).